Hello, I have a 1968 RS/SS 396 coupe to bring back to it's former condition. I owned this vehicle back in the 70's but sold it to a friend of mine because I also owned a 1969 z/28. The 68 was been a 375 HP but my friend promptly blew it up (rods out through the block), hence the car is no longer as from factory. Along with that there is no build sheet or documentation to make the car authentic. Through the years the car has taken a steady decline downward. The trans, and rear are correct but all the little things like hoses, engine accessories are gone. The car's sheet metal is intact and very good. I know my friend had quarters put on in the 80's and the car had been sitting in his garage for over 20 years, so except for him repainting the car a non original color, side markers and hood grills needing replaced the body is ok. He bought new interior seat
uplolstery and carpets but never installed them. The car was euipped with deluxe interior, console with gages, deluxe exterior trim, 7000 rpm tic toc tachometer, wood grain trim, and vinyl top.
My questions for the members are these:
1. Is there any way with the vin number I can track down the documentation?
2. With the original engine gone is there any reason to locate a date correct L78?
3. If numbers 1 and 2 are NO, do you see this car just becoming a nice driver and worth anything?
4. Being a street rodder my tastes have always been to modify things.
I could do this car with modern drivetrain components, 4 wheel disc brakes, power windows, locks and A/C and suspension making it
more driveable for me and my 20 year old daughter who will become the real owner. Is it taboo to do these mods or justified with a numbers incorrect Camaro?
Thanks for all those that have made this forum a place where we can all
learn, help, and gather information.

Welcome Brad! Always good to have another PA member.

1. Not unless the car was originally sold in Canada.
2. Only if you want a date correct L78 car that you can't prove.
3. Sure. Even nice drivers have value.
4. Without documentation on a 68, there's no way to prove what it was originally. There's not really anything stopping you from making mods, and everything you've listed is fairly reversible if you ever change your mind.

Exactly what eric said..welcome to team camaro brad...

Sounds like a perfect canidate for modern running gear, make it safe, reliable and enjoyable to drive.
Wow a long time PA camaro with a good body/ frame you got lucky

Welcome Brad....... where in PA are you from?

:thumbsup:Build it the way you want it and enjoy it. These cars are a blast to work on and drive!
Welcome from nearby N.J.

Build what you want and enjoy. Mine was a 6 cylinder at the start of its life and at sometime made it a V8 car... but its a toy... Not an investment for me.

Welcome to Team Camaro from just South of the Mason/Dixon :waving:

Just outside Williamsport, PA.

Seems to be a good PA membership on the forum, thanks for all you replies. I'm thinking a late model small block with a 6spd, pw, locks and a/c and a more up-dated suspension with rack and pinion steering and 4 wheel disc brakes should do the trick. I own a 97 Ram Air Firebird that is stock, it runs the quarter mile in 13.6 seconds and will honestly get 28 mpg on the highway (70 mph = 1700 rpm). A drivetrain like this LT1 or
LS1 is what I will probrably end up with. First there is a ton of research as to what is available in engine/trans mounts and wiring harnesses to handle both the old and new items. I'm sure many have gone down this road before so it should be documented somewhere on this forum.

Welcome to Team Camaro from your neighboring state - Maryland

As far as the modern small block swap goes, there is a ton of info here and in the "conversions and hybrids" forum over at http://ls1tech.com/forums/ . For searching here at TC, a search of "T56" will get a bunch of threads regarding which ones to get, which ones to stay away from.

I went with a 396/402 in mine, because that's what came with the project. I looked at T56, but went with a TKO600 because I couldn't see the need for what is essentially a double OD, and wanted the shifter to be located close to original position.

There are plenty of guys here and elsewhere running the T56 and loving it, and obviously if you can find a good running combo in a wrecked 4th gen, then that probably makes the most cost efficient way to go. If I had to do it over again, I would do the LSx route (and I may still sort of go that way, if the LR4 in my Silverado survived my Dukes of Hazzard imitation).

Also lots of good info over at http://www.pro-touring.com/forum/ .

Welcome to the Club, Brad. The best thing is you have a '68 .... HA!
Cars were original once - build it the way you want it and drive the bejesus out of it.

Teach your daughter how to drive it and let her own it later. Take pictures and make an album to continue the legacy, she'll treasure it - "Its a car Dad built for me."